Real Sociedad Team News Page 12 - Soccer

Mikel Merino - Busy defensively in win Merino made two tackles and four clearances and was shown a yellow card during Sunday's 1-0 win over Alaves.

Impact Merino was coming off scoring four times over his previous five starts in all competitions but this time he wasn't an offensive factor for Sociedad. However, the midfielder made up for that with a great defensive display, making things easier for the defensive line and being key for his team to shut the opposition down for the second consecutive game. Numbers are not as robust as they were last season for Merino, but he keeps proving he can be a difference-maker in both ends of the pitch, regardless of who the opponent is.

APRIL 2 • ROTOWIRE

Mikel Oyarzabal - Takes two shots in win Oyarzabal had two off-target shots and drew two fouls during Sunday's 1-0 win over Alaves.

Impact Oyarzabal had a relatively quiet performance here, not being able to have either a shot on target or a key pass, something no one expects from him from a fantasy perspective. With eight goals and two assists over 25 league appearances this season, the attacker remains one of La Liga's top players at his position and, barring any injury, he'll continue to have a featured role in this Sociedad squad, which will eventually translate into strong fantasy numbers.

APRIL 2 • ROTOWIRE

Ander Barrenetxea - Takes three shots in win Barrenetxea had three off-target shots during Sunday's 1-0 win over Alaves.

Impact Barrenetxea returned to the team after missing the previous two matches due to an injury and had an active display, although he couldn't find the target in any of his finishes. Even if the attacker doesn't have the same status he had at the start of the campaign, the fact that he's back is definitely good news for a team fighting for European qualification.

APRIL 2 • ROTOWIRE

Alejandro Remiro - Keeps clean sheet in win Remiro made zero saves and kept a clean sheet during Sunday's 1-0 win over Alaves.

Impact Remiro didn't have any work to do here as the opposition failed to even have a shot finding the target during the entire contest. That's now back-to-back clean sheets for him and the 12th over 29 league starts, the second best mark among all La Liga goalkeepers this season.

APRIL 2 • ROTOWIRE

Arsen Zakharyan - Logs assist in win over Alaves Zakharyan made an assist, created four chances and sent in six crosses (five accurate) during Sunday's 1-0 win over Alaves.

Impact Zakharyan returned to the starting XI after scoring on the previous match and this time he appeared on the scoresheet with an assist as his corner-kick cross was headed home by Jon Pacheco just before the hour mark for the lone goal of the match. This was the second assist of the season for the promising playmaker, who will hope to keep getting significant playing time during the upcoming matches.

APRIL 2 • ROTOWIRE

Jon Pacheco - Scores winner against Alaves Pacheco scored a goal off three shots (two on target), made two tackles (both won) and five clearances, helped his side to keep a clean sheet and was shown a yellow card during Sun...

Impact Pacheco had a rock-solid defensive performance and was even better on the attacking end as he headed home a corner kick from the right to score the game-winning goal for Sociedad just before the hour mark. This was the first career La Liga goal for the center-back, who's quietly becoming an important piece of the squad, as he was part of the starting XI in seven of the last 12 matches.

APRIL 2 • ROTOWIRE

Robin Le Normand - Back from suspension Le Normand completed his one-game suspension due to yellow-card accumulation and will be available to face Almeria on April 14.

Impact The return of Le Normand represents a huge boost for Real Madrid on the defensive line, as the Spain international has been a regular at the back for the Donostiarra side. Considering Le Normand has started in all but one of the matches he's been available for this season between Liga and Champions League, he should be back straight into the XI for the Almeria clash.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Ander Barrenetxea - Starting Sunday Barrenetxea (back) is in the starting XI for Sunday's match against Alaves.

Impact Barrenetxea returns after missing the past two matches through injury. The attacker makes just his third start over the last two months having not had a goal involvement since November.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

Ander Barrenetxea - Named to squad list Barrenetxea (back) is on the squad list for Sunday's match against Alaves.

Impact Barrenetxea looks to be in line for his return, which should come as no surprise after his introduction back into team training this week. The attacker will hope to get the start, as he began the season in a starting role. However, he is more likely to serve off the bench, taking his return cautiously after dealing with three separate injuries since December.

MARCH 30 • ROTOWIRE

Alvaro Odriozola - Left off traveling team Odriozola (knee) is not an option for Sunday's contest against Alaves, as he was left out of the traveling team.

Impact Odriozola continues his tenure on the sidelines, having not recovered over the international break and missing his ninth straight match due to a knee issue. There has still been no update on when the player will return, but with the cub not playing again until April 14, he will now have two weeks to recover before the tilt with Almeria.

MARCH 30 • ROTOWIRE

Brais Mendez - Suffers foot fracture Mendez has suffered a fractured metatarsal in his right foot that will require an operation, his club announced Wednesday.

Impact Mendez will be heading to the sidelines for a portion of time, as he was confirmed to have fractured his foot in training Wednesday. This is a brutal turn for the player and club, as he will most likely miss the next month of play and possibly even the rest of the season, now being set to undergo a four to six week recovery plan, which is a crucial loss as he is a regular starter. The player will now hope to see the field again amid a recovery process with no setbacks, with Arsen Zakharyan and Benat Turrientes as Mendez's most likely replacements in the midfield while he receives surgery and works on his return.

MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE

Ander Barrenetxea - Training with team Barrenetxea (back) was viewed in team training ahead of Sunday's match against Alaves.

Impact Barrenetxea looks to be close to a return to play, as he was shown working with the ball during team training Wednesday. This brings decent confidence that the attacker will return this weekend against Alaves after missing the club's past two contests. He will just hope to get back on the field and possibly earn the starting spot he held at the start of the season, as since December, he has only started in three of the eight matches he has been available, being heavily affected by a plethora of injuries.

MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE

Robin Le Normand - Earns yellow-card ban Le Normand made two clearances and registered one shot off target in Friday's 2-0 win over Cadiz. He also picked up his 10th yellow card of the season, meaning he'll be suspended t...

Impact Le Normand has been booked in three of his last four Liga appearances, and the central defender will now earn his second yellow-card suspension of the season. He'll be eligible to face Almeria on April 14, and in the meantime, expect Aritz Elustondo to potentially replace him at center-back against Alaves.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE

Takefusa Kubo - Registers most crosses in the game Kubo registered six crosses (two accurate) and five corners in Friday's 2-0 win against Cadiz.

Impact Kubo recorded the most crosses in the game, created four chances and made a tackle. He was replaced by Arsen Zakharyan in the 66th minute. Kubo has scored only one goal in the last seven games but has seven goals and three assists in 22 games this season overall.

MARCH 16 • ROTOWIRE

Mikel Oyarzabal - Sets up opener against Cadiz Oyarzabal assisted once to go with two shots (one on goal) and two chances created in Friday's 2-0 win over Cadiz.

Impact Oyarzabal set up a goal for Mikel Merino with a clever flick in the 28th minute. He also missed good chances in the 28th and 41st minute. Oyarzabal has struggled to accumulate goals lately as his last league goal was against Athletic in January.

MARCH 16 • ROTOWIRE

Brais Mendez - Records assist against Cadiz Mendez assisted once to go with three shots (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and one corner in Friday's 2-0 victory against Cadiz.

Impact Mendez assisted Arsen Zakharyan in the 68th minute for the goal that doubled Sociedad's advantage. Mendez created two chances, completed four dribbles and recorded a tackle and a clearance. He now has three goal involvements in last three league games.

MARCH 16 • ROTOWIRE

Arsen Zakharyan - Scores off the bench against Cadiz Zakharyan scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and two chances created in Friday's 2-0 win against Cadiz.

Impact Zakharyan replaced Takefusa Kubo in the 66th minute and made instant impact as he scored in the 68th minute assisted by Brias Mendez. This was his first goal of the season and also his 10th substitute appearance.

MARCH 16 • ROTOWIRE

Mikel Merino - Scores against Cadiz Merino scored one goal to go with two shots (two on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Friday's 2-0 victory against Cadiz.

Impact Merino netted the opener in the 28th minute assisted by Mikel Oyarzabal's flick. Merino also recorded three tackles and a clearance. He has been in blistering form lately as he now has three goals in the last four appearances.

MARCH 16 • ROTOWIRE

Alejandro Remiro - Keeps clean sheet against Cadiz Remiro recorded two saves and secured a clean sheet in Friday's 2-0 victory against Cadiz.

Impact Remiro registered two saves and a clearance and was lucky to achieve a clean sheet as Cadiz forwards lacked offensive output. This was his first clean sheet in over a month as his last clean sheet was against Girona in early February.

MARCH 16 • ROTOWIRE

Home is sweet again as Real Sociedad beats Cadiz for first home win since November

Real Sociedad has its first home win since November after goals in each half defeated struggling Cadiz 2-0 in the Spanish league

MARCH 15 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

REAL SOCIEDAD 2 - 0 CÁDIZ CF | RESUMEN LALIGA EA SPORTS

MARCH 15 • YOUTUBE

LEDESMA 👋🏻

MARCH 15 • YOUTUBE

LE NORMAND 😯

MARCH 15 • YOUTUBE

Aritz Elustondo - Earns bench role Elustondo (toe) is on the bench for Friday's match against Cadiz.

Impact Elustondo makes his return to the team sheet Friday, coming back following a nine-match absence due to struggles in his toe. The defender should be expected to remain in a bench role, as he has only started six times all season, mainly providing in a rotational role.

MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE

Arsen Zakharyan - given bench role Zakharyan (calf) is on the bench for Friday's contest against Cadiz.

Impact Zakharyan is returning to the team sheet Friday, ending a two-match absence due to calf issues. The midfielder will hope to get back in the starting XI after testing his legs Friday, as he had started in the club's past two matches before the injury, although he has held more of a rotational role this season, so he may only continue to see starts here and there.

MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE

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Home is sweet again as Real Sociedad beats Cadiz for first home win since November